Invalid bed construction



Feb. 5, 1935. R. WARD 4 INVALID BED CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 17, 1933 lflven for Eo/fie Ward 1 fl'fforney Feb. 5, 1935. R. WARD INVALID BED CONSTRUCTION Filed April 17, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 RH B In ven for A? 0/ [/6 Ward 6M /7 7 for/way Patented Feb. 5, 1935] a 6 Claims.

Thepresent invention relates to improvements 1 in-invalidandrhospital beds ofthe type'perrnit ting the'positionrof ,the invalid to be reversed or:

and supporting, frames for-the invalid which may be readily manipulated by one -person. 7

Other objectsxand advantages-reside in pointedo'utin theyclaimsqz, e

In the accompanying drawings; wherein a:pre-- ferred f orm; of utthesinvention is r disclosed :by way;

ofiillustratiomt :1:v Fig; 1 isiia broken-side elevation-of a bed; framewithzitheimproveinent attached;

Fig.2 is'a crosssectional view taken on-line -2- ofiFig. c1 witlilthasupportingfabricrremovedr-fmm the frames fortclarity; I

suspendedlfrom the"side:rails.-:- .j

and turning-frames. 1- .v t ,v a Figs; 5' eisi a' cross sectional viewwtaken ron line 5 5'of'Fig:2'.

Fig. i6 is a cross: sectional; view taken-on; line s as-at-ZZYWhich may-besecured in-{anyroneofa1,

FigJ? is a detailed viewer-the; releasable lockingemeclranismg 1; r

Fig. 8 shows "a modifiedv arrangement" of the v turning-and supportingframes. I

Generally considered; the present invention comprises verticallyrdisposed inverted V -shaped "end m'embers' which' are adapted to be removably secured to the conventional" bed frame; Bracket members/are pivoted from thexapex of the:end' member. from which; what i might? be termed the; permanent'invalid'supporting:frame:,;is supported "at; the ends. ';This;:frame-is removably and: ad-. justably bolted .or otherwisesz isecured' to A the i m acket members.v When it is desired: to change 1 the position' of 1 thainvalidifrom his ,back' tozhis' stomach or vice :ve'rs'a; forexample; or. to-change; the bediclothing a .temporary'praturning .frame STATES; PATENT orifices ,INVAIJIDBED ooNsTitnoTIoiv Rollie Ward; Jackson; Mich.;.assignpr: one-half I. tozJohn WnSpeck, Jackson, Mich v M '"Q ApplicationAAp ril 17, 1 933; seriaiNmcesgaosT 'jfvalid to the temporaryframe. Th'epermanent to retain the supportingframes ina horizontal I the novel features of construction andcombination and; arrangement of parts aS;.Wi11 be more fully 20:zrela;ted.-r Thevinvention isqclearly defined;and-

auxiliary framework from whichthe -supportingpand turningframesare supported comprises-ye with'feet portions 5 -6 whichrare adapted toe bracethe frame memberr2; being removablyia tached by thumb screws 7+8 -H-shape,d brackets f Fig-.143 :is across sectional: view taken 'on' line; 331-'of= Fig-;i-;1showing vZthe manner" the fabric is H t andare'ofiset inwardly of thefindrnembers 3 f:- 1 Fig. 54 .is a :plan-Eviewv of..-one' of the}: supporting 'Eframes,':-respectively, for-clarity of description is [laid upon the secured the I bracket -members. Withthe invalidconfined Joe tween the two frames, the bracket membersand ,1 frames are rotated-as a unit to transfer theinframe can nowbe removedand the bed clothing which was beneath the invalid changed. In ef feet the temporary frame maybecomethe perma v nent frame and theinvalid mayrepose uponthe same in a changedposition thus avoidingIbed'v sores and the like which-resultwhen the invaliidjsf insucha condition as to prohibit manualchanging and reversingof theinvalids position." Releasable locking members are preferably employed plane when the ,frames are-notbeing rotatedg Having 5 reference to the drawings, reference character 1 designates a conventional bedframe having' transverse framememberS-Z upon whichth r e r n ma lv nnor z he 1' :1

tically disposed invertedyfshape end member '34. These members are; preferably provided 9-l0 are pivoted upon stub shafts: I l-+12 sup portedin the members 3+4; 'I hese bracketshave upright portions '13-'1i' eachprovided with a 30 plurality of correspondinglygspaced apertures 15 and integral cross portions-16+1-7, W k

The turning; and. supporting; frames; l8 19 which I may be termed permanentand temporary consist 1 of side; rails 20- 21 having squaredends to ayminimum and at gthesamtimeadequately with wingednuts'are employedto removably secure the framemembers-Zi-Zfitd the brackets 9' 1Q. To releasably. lock the brackets 9-40 against being rotated; manually operated catches" 29" are supportedup onthe brackets 9*10- having spring stressed plunge'rs 30 which are I adapted to,

engage holes 31 located in-the end -members3 ji4.z

Asa illustrated," the-, holes 3l are; located to lock:

the' frames 18--19 in horizontal positions. How;

in the members 3-4 to incline the supporting frames to rest the invalid or, to provide drainage, In order to permit the invalid to be manipulated by one person, a notched slot 30' and coacttures. For actually: supporting the invalid, strong duck fabric is preferably'employed. The fabric 32, is stretched between the side rails -21 and secured in position through straps-33 and buckles 34 located onthe underside. Through adjustment of the strap andibuc'kle arrangements.

the side rails may be adjusted along the mem bers 26 to adjust the width-of the frames 1819. Obviously other types ofsupporting sur-' faces may be employed within the scope of my invention and it is notmyintentionto be limited to the ,s tructureishown. As shown in-Fig. 4, the supporting surface isarranged in sections spaced at 35 to. receivea bed, pan or the like. Preferi I, ably' the section ofsupporting fabric at 36 is 25" independent ofthejremaining sections in order that'it may be individually adjusted togive more spacing between the frames for the invalids head orfmay evenb removedat the time of turning.

In Fig. 8, the dropped bottom portions 27 -28 oftlie frame members 25 26are shown similarly disposed from the bracket 9. In this manner the permanent frame is elevated to facilitatecare of the invalid. Also, this arrangement permits the supporting frames to bebut slightly spaced I I V g with a bed having transverse frame members to accommodate a very small thin individual;

Having reference to Fig. 1, prior to the turning operation, the invalid is supported upon the frame 18,111 11 hisback, for example. The frame 19, which is no rmallyremov ed fromthe structure,

is then laid upon thjejinvalid and secured to the pended web of fabricasi32 used asa supporting i supported in the apices of saidend membersfand passed centrally through the cross portionsoff'.

surface in the frames"1819, the central'area of ,the frames 18- -19 will be slightly deflected by the body of the invalid with the resultthat the side rails 202 1 are insufllciently spaced to per-" mit'the body of the invalid to pass between during the turning operation} the'invalid being substantlally'envelop'ed by the two frames. With the frame 19 in position and the locking plungers withdrawn and held out of locking position, the frames-18l9 are readilyrotated as a unit :posi tioning theframe 19 below the frame 18 and transferringthe invalid upon the frame 19 upon his stomach, The upper frame may now'be removed and the bedclothing which was formerly beneath the invalid changed. The'invalidinthe changed position may continue to'repose upon whatj was formerly the upper frame until. such time as anadditional change inposition is advantageous.

it will be readily apparent from the foregoing descriptiomthat an invalid appliance has been provided whichyis readily adapted to the conventional bedframe. Furthermore, the appliance is relatively compact and inexpensive and may be easily operated by one person. 1

"Although the'invention is disclosed as attach- V ,ableto a bed frame, the features of the turning and supporting frames may be {advantageously employed "in a permanent unitary supporting framework- However, in most'cases the ability to adapt the turning frames tola .bed frame; is

.. idesired. v

'Havingdescribed my invention, what I claim -tal position.

to'protect by Letters Patent is:

said frame members, said framework comprising vertically disposed inverted V-shaped end, members supported upon and removably securedtd said transverse frame members, rotatable -H- shaped bracketspositionedupon stub shafts'supported in the apices of saidfendmembersand passd centrally through the, cross "portions of said H-shaped brackets, parallel turning and supporting frames between which the invalid is adapted "tobe received for reversing his position; said frames: comprising side rails and end rails, said endrails having horizontally extending outer'portions and oflset central' portions, lmeansfor adjustablyand removably supporting said turning and supporting framesabove and below the axis of rotation of said-'H-sh'aped b'rack- 'etsjfsai d means including removable fastening -means securing said offset portions-atselectable. -position s "along the parallel portions of said H shaped brackets to vary the spacing between said i25 turning; and supporting frames, m ans r justing said side rails *alo'ngthe outer portions'of said end rails to vary theywidth of said frames} surfaces attached to said side rails for supporting beingrotatable as-a unit about said stub 'shaftsi'j the invalid, said turning and supporting frames and means" for locking said frames in a horizon-' 2. In an invalid locatedinwardly' from the endsthereofltof an appliance, the combination I auxiliary frameworkjremovably supportedupon a said frame members, said framework comprising vertically disposedinverted V-shaped end meni-v bers supported upon and removablysecured to;

said H-shaped brackets; parallel turning and rails said end rails having horizontally extending outer portions and offset'central portions,

means for adjustably and 'removablyrsupportsupporting frames between which the invalid 21's.]: adapted to be received for reversinghisrlposition, said frames comprising side: rails, end

ing said turning andsupporting frame's'abovew and below the axis ,"of .arota'tion' of, i said 9 H- spacing between said turning and -T'supporting r frames, surfaces attached is said sidev rails for supporting the invalid, said turmngFandrsup-yporting frames being rotatable as a unit about said stub shafts, and means for "locking, said.)

frames in a horizontal position.

3; In an invalid appliance,

with a bed having transverse :frame' members;

the combination located inwardly from the ends thereof, of an auxiliary framework'removably supportedv upon saidframe members, said frameworkcomprising; ,1

vertically disposed inverted. v-shaped endmembers supported upon-and *renaovably' secured to,

said transverse frame members, rotatable brackets positioned upon stub shafts supported: in the adapted to be supported ,for, rreversin'g..:his5. posl-,

4o--'F- said transverse frame members, rotatable 'H-w tion, said frames each consisting of side rails and end rails, said end rails having horizontally extending outer portions and inwardly directed offset central portions, means for adjustably and removably supporting said turning and supporting frames above and below the axis of rotation of said brackets, said means including removable fastening means securing said offset portions at selectable spaced points upon opposite sides of said axis of rotation to said brackets,- to vary the spacing between said frames, means for adjustably securing said side rails along the outer portion of said end rails to vary the width of said frames, surfaces attached to said frames for supporting the invalid,- said frames being rotatable as a unit about the stub shafts and between said end members to transfer the invalid from one of said frames to the other, and means for locking said frames against rotation.

4. In an invalid appliance, the combination with a bed frame, of an auxiliary framework removably supported upon said bed frame, said framework comprising vertically disposed inverted V-shaped end members supported upon said bed frame and removably secured thereto inwardly from the ends thereof, rotatable brackets positioned upon stub shafts located in the apices of said end members, parallel turning and supporting frames between which an invalid is adapted to be supported and transferred from one frame to the other to reverse his position, means for adjustably and removably securing said turning and supporting frames above and below the axis of rotation of said brackets, said means including removable fastening means for attaching said frames at selectable positions above and below the said axis vof rotation to said brackets, to vary the spacingbetween said I frames, said frames being rotatable as a unit,

and means for locking said frames against rotation. I

5. In an invalid appliance, the combination with a supporting framework,-of members rotatably supported upon said framework, spaced parallel supporting and turning frames rotatably supported at opposite ends by said members and adapted to be rotated as a unit to transfer from one frame to the other an invalid received therebetween to reverse his position,,said frames comprising side and end rails, said end rails having horizontally extending outer portions and centrally located downwardly directed offset portions, andmeans for removably and adjustably securing the offset portions of said end rails to said members upon opposite: sides of the axis of rotation to space said frames.

6. In an invalid appliance, the combination with a supporting framework ofsupporting means rotatably mounted on opposite ends thereof, spaced parallel supporting and turning frames,

each having end and side rails, secured to said supporting means by said end rails and adapted to be rotated as a unit to transfer from one frame to the other an invalid received therebetween to reverse his position, portions of said end rails.

being in the plane of said side rails along which the latter may be adjusted to vary the width of said frames, the portions of said end rails secured to the supporting means being removably secured to said supporting means upon opposite sides of the axis of rotation, andout of the plane of said side rails to space said frames, and supporting surfaces located between said frames.

ROLLIE WARD. 

